Illinois Report Shows Gender Pay Gains, Racial Gaps Remain

SPRINGFIELD — A University of Illinois report finds Illinois has narrowed gender wage gaps, with women earning about 91 to 93 cents for every dollar earned by men in similar roles, but Black and Hispanic workers in low-wage jobs still earn less than White workers. The study analyzed more than 3.2 million job records from nearly 4,000 businesses submitted to the Illinois Department of Labor between 2021 and 2023. Gaps are smaller in professional jobs and Cook County, wider in lower-wage roles and downstate. The report calls for better data, public reporting, and tools to help employers ensure fair pay.